How can you tell if you have a bed bug problem?

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Residents of both the on-campus housing facilities and University Apartments can help keep bed bugs out of residences by following the precautionary measures listed below. When traveling, take precautions to avoid bringing bed bugs back to campus or your apartment by inspecting the bedding and furniture where you are staying. Use hangers or hooks to keep all clothing off of the floor and bed. Do not put your luggage or backpack directly on the bed or floor – keep them elevated using a luggage stand, tabletop, or other hard surface. Keep your luggage closed and zipped at all times. Before returning to campus or your apartment, inspect clothing and other items before packing. Check crevices in luggage and backpacks for signs of bed bugs. After returning to campus or your apartment, re-check all traveling gear and items. Unpack your luggage directly into a plastic bag and immediately take the clothing to a clothes dryer and dry for 20 minutes at a high heat cycle of at least 120 degrees. Do not store your luggage or backpack on your bed or any carpeted surface. If possible, store luggage in a large plastic bag and seal tightly, keeping it isolated from all other belongings. Don’t bring second-hand or discarded furniture such as bed frames, mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture into the space where you are living. These are common breeding grounds for bed bugs. Clean and reduce the clutter in your room to eliminate places for bed bugs to hide during the day. Wash clothing and linen frequently in high temperatures to kill bed bugs. Both the water temperature and drying temperature should be 120 degrees or higher.

Blood spots about the size of a pencil tip on mattress or linens
Small black dirt specks (bed bug feces) in seams, cracks or crevices of beds and furniture
Small whitish casing in seams, cracks or crevices of beds and furniture
Actual bugs present (bed bugs are small and flat, about the size of a common wood tick)
Unexplained rash on your body. Bed bug bites resemble mosquito and flea bites and tend to appear in a straight line

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